～に過ぎない JLPT N2 Formal
〜ni suginai
Expresses that something is 'just' or 'nothing more than'; 'merely', 'only', 'simply'.
Dismissive "merely/nothing more than" - downplays significance; common in writing and analysis.
Formation
Verb-casual + に過ぎない, い-Adjective + に過ぎない, な-Adjective + に過ぎない, Noun + に過ぎない
Explanation
The ～に過ぎない grammar point is used to indicate that something is 'just' or 'nothing more than' the stated quality or condition. It implies that the thing is not as significant or important as it might seem at first glance. This grammar point can be translated as 'merely', 'only', or 'simply' in English. It can be used with verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives, and nouns.
Example sentences
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His failure is nothing more than a mistake.
Kare no shippai wa misu ni suginai.
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This test is nothing more than a simple question.
Kono shiken wa kantan na mondai ni suginai.
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She is nothing more than a friend.
Kanojo wa tomodachi ni suginai.
-
That remark is nothing more than a joke.
Sono hatsugen wa joudan ni suginai.